Contaminated epidural steroid injections distributed by the New England Compounding Center (NECC) have been implicated in 297 infections, including 23 deaths from fungal meningitis.

Considering the number of people potentially exposed to epidural steroid injections and other products prepared by NECC, we may only be seeing the tip of the iceberg at this time.

New York, New York (PRWEB) October 23, 2012

Potential fungal meningitis lawsuits are actively being investigated by the nationwide law firm of Bernstein Liebhard LLP. Contaminated epidural steroid injections prepared by the New England Compounding Center (NECC) have been implicated in a multistate outbreak of fungal meningitis and other infections. Already, several fungal meningitis lawsuits have been filed by alleged victims of the outbreak. Recently, plaintiffs filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to consolidate all federally-filed fungal meningitis lawsuits in the U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota for pretrial proceedings. (Bansale v. New England Compounding Pharmacy, No. 12-14559 [E.D. Mich.])*

“Considering the number of people potentially exposed to epidural steroid injections and other products prepared by NECC, we may only be seeing the tip of the iceberg at this time,” says Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm that represents people injured by defective drugs and medical devices. The firm is currently offering free fungal meningitis lawsuit evaluations to anyone affected by this outbreak and the NECC epidural steroid recall.
Epidural Steroid Recall

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) most recent update, 294 cases of fungal meningitis infections, including 23 deaths, have been reported in 16 states. In addition, three cases of peripheral joint infections (e.g., knee, hip, shoulder, elbow) are suspected of being connected to the contaminated epidural steroids. In September, NECC announced an epidural steroid recall for 17,000 vials of preservative-free methylprednilosone injections. The recalled epidural steroids were distributed to 76 facilities in 23 states. Some 14,000 people are known to have been injected with one of the contaminated steroids, according to the CDC. **

On October 6, NECC recalled all of its products and surrendered its license to operate. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is now investigating to determine if other drugs prepared by NECC might be implicated in the fungal meningitis outbreak. The agency recently reported that at least one case of fungal meningitis has been found in a patient who was administered triamcinolone acetonide, another steroid injection prepared by NECC. Two additional infections have been reported in transplant patients who received NECC cardioplegic solution during surgery. The FDA is working to confirm the presence of contaminants in those products, but has warned doctors to avoid using any NECC products. ***

According to the FDA, more than 1,200 facilities received NECC products. The agency is now asking those facilities to follow-up with patients who were treated with any of these medications. The FDA has also posted an updated list of all clinics and hospitals that received products produced by NECC on its website.

Victims of the epidural steroid fungal meningitis outbreak may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Learn more about filing a fungal meningitis lawsuit by visiting Bernstein Liebhard LLP’s website http://www.consumerinjurylawyers.com/. For additional information, contact one of the firm’s fungal meningitis lawyers today at (877) 779-1414.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP
Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993, including those who have been harmed by dangerous drugs, defective medical devices and consumer products. The firm has been named by The National Law Journal to the “Plaintiffs’ Hot List,” recognizing the top plaintiffs’ firms in the country, for the past 10 consecutive years.